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Regular Meeting December, 2002 Charlton Town Board Saratoga County New York
After the pledge to the flag, the invocation was given by Town Clerk Gail Hanchar.
At the regular meeting of the Town Board of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York held at
Councilman Alan Grattidge
Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that the minutes of the November 12 Town Board Meeting and the November 25 Agenda Meeting be accepted as received. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS:
General Fund: Abstract of Claims totaling $38,665.03. Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge.
Highway Fund: Abstract of Claims totaling $9,227.27. Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge.
Water Fund: Abstract of Claims totaling $791.89. Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Vouchers for the month were #1127-#1229.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT:
Gail Hanchar read the Town Clerk's Report. She reported taking in $143.04. Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Agenda Items):
No comments.
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
November review of revenue and expenditures:
Major expenditures:
Major revenue:
The Town Hall will be closed on December 24, 25 and 26.
There will be a workshop on Saturday, December 14 at 9:00 A.M. The Board will be discussing the 2003 Organizational Resolutions and meeting with the town insurance agent to go over the town's insurance policies.
We received an article from the Office of the Aging regarding prescription discount cards. Some people believe this is a replacement for health insurance and prescription insurance. We will have an article in the next newsletter.
Supervisor Acunto wrote a letter to the Department of Health with the approval of Bill Keniry asking them to review the Capital Realty Subdivision. Supervisor Acunto read the letter. The letter asks whether the Capital Realty Subdivision was validly and properly approved by the New York State Department of Health in 1993 and whether any and all approvals remain valid and in full force and effect today. The letter also states that the developer's response in Item 19 of their application for approval is an error. The town's drainage official has not approved their drainage plan.
The Town Board members received a copy of a letter from John Tabner to Mr. Zee regarding an escrow agreement for Capital Real Estate.
We received a letter of resignation from Wes Weaver as Assessor, effective December 31, 2002.
COMMUNICATIONS:
We have received the final paperwork approving the grant for updating and improving the salt shed.
We received a letter from the NYS Department of Transportation saying they have received the request from the town for a speed reduction on West Line Road.
We received a letter from Arrowhead Public Risk Facility informing us that we can anticipate a rate increase of greater than 10%.
We received a letter from Time Warner stating the effective January 2003 the monthly rate for service will increase.
We received a letter from the NYS Public Service Commission stating that they have granted a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to NIMO. Supervisor Acunto passed this on to the ECC for review.
ANIMAL CONTROL:
Lee has had a number of calls.
ASSESSORS:
They are up-to-date on the reval.
CONSTABLES:
They are maintaining their patrols and paying great attention to the village and Stage Road.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
Next year they will be looking at the new Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regulations for Storm Water Management. It will have local impacts. There must be several programs instituted at the local level including an educational program and possibly a local ordinance.
HIGHWAY:
They have been busy with nuisance snowstorms.
HISTORIAN:
Laura met with the Records Advisory Board this month.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION:
They will be having another meeting with LandWorks on January 15 at 7:30 P.M. There is information about what has been accomplished so far at the Town Hall
PARK COMMITTEE:
We are looking for three members for the Park Committee. If you are interested, please contact Bernie.
PLANNING BOARD:
They have no meeting in December. They will meet the third Monday in January. They attended a conference at Saratoga County Municipal Center last month.
RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD:
The Board sponsored a grant-writing workshop here in November. This was presented by the New York State Archives Education Department. About 25 people attended from school districts, fire departments, county, state and local officials. We are continuing to review the records in question. We will be meeting again in March. We have three openings on the Board that we would like to fill.
TOWN HALL:
Councilman Grattidge had available extra copies of the drawings for the proposed new town hall. We are still at the research stage and are trying to get public input.
WATER DISTRICT:
They are busy with basic maintenance. John is having trouble with the van.
LIBRARY:
The library meets Wednesday night. Councilman Lippiello will report on that next month.
ZONING ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE:
Marv reported that they have started going through a list of potential changes based on suggestions from the previous ZORC as well as the various boards in town that work with the Zoning Ordinance. The list doesn't mean that there will be changes. There will be public informational meetings. Eventually any recommended changes will be given to the Town Board and it will be up to the Town Board to have a public hearing.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR:
We are continuing to look for an Assistant Zoning Administrator.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
They will not have a meeting this month.
RESOLUTIONS:
Supervisor Acunto reported that we opened sealed bids for a truck for the Highway Department at the last Agenda Meeting. After review of the bids, Ron decided not to accept either bid. He will purchase a 2003 International cab and chassis and go to bid for the dump box and hoist, plow, wing and plow and wing assembly.
Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes
Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes
Motion made by Councilman Schroeder, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes
Supervisor Acunto reported that a resolution was passed at the last Agenda Meeting allowing Gail to transfer her account to Hudson River Commercial Bank from Trustco because Trustco is no longer handling municipal accounts.
COUNCILMAN REPORTS:
Councilman Mitchell - The newsletter will be going out in early February. We will let people know the date when articles are due. Best wishes for the holiday to all.
Councilman Lippiello - The tree looks nice in the park. Wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Councilman Schroeder - Extended well wishes to Wes Weaver for his service to the town. A special thank you to all the people who volunteer their time to help with the support and running of the town and their families. Wished everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Councilman Grattidge - Extended best wishes to everyone for a happy holiday. If anyone has any input on the town hall work that has been done so far, let us know.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Janet Reville - Crooked Street - Asked what has happened with the water committee that was going to be set up several months ago?
Councilman Lippiello responded that the committee has gone to a back burner. A discussion held on establishing membership of that committee came to a draw. The committee was not staffed and it will not be put into place.
John Simoni congratulated the board for pursuing NYS Department of Health input and working with people in the community regarding the Crooked Street subdivision. Sometimes people in the community can bring out information for you to act on. John said to be guarded regarding any replies from the Department of Health. They do not like lawsuits. They feel they are understaffed and over worked. Since Saratoga County does not have their own health department, they are inundated with work. They may try to walk away from something because that might be the easiest way.
Supervisor Acunto said that DOH did not mix any words at the meeting. They did not even want to consider anything that looked like a lawsuit because Mr. Brusso is now involved in two litigations and feels he is spending too much time in court.
John asked if we are still dealing with Capital Realty or are we dealing with Bordeau. Supervisor Acunto said everything on records shows Capital Realty as the owners of the property. We think Mr. Bordeau has a land contract. Everything in the escrow agreement is Capital Realty.
John said the grant on the salt shed is great news. The Town of Glenville has a grant writer who has been getting grants for the town. Supervisor Acunto said it was actually a Hugh Farley member item.
John said there was a meeting directing the Planning Board to do research on the Crooked Street subdivision. Supervisor Acunto said that had changed. The Board sent them a letter telling them to put things on hold. The attorneys feel they can work through some of the issues that were brought up at the meeting. John stated that he and a lot of people hoped that they did not grant the extension. In the event that they do, he hoped that a resolution would be written providing for a referendum of the people to approve it. Was there any reason why the Board would not do that? Supervisor Acunto stated that is was premature to answer that question. John said that if you write it in a way that allows it, the people would not have to go out and get a petition.
Tina Bublak - Sweetman Road - Asked if a committee had been formed to look into grants for the new town hall. Councilman Grattidge responded that we are working with Susan Lombardi that works with the Town of Glenville. She helped the Historic District get the grant for the work to be done there.
Supervisor Acunto asked John what Malta Ambulance got through the IDA? John said they are non-profit. They received IDA bonding which allowed them a lower interest rate. Supervisor Acunto said if the Town was considering a bond, are we eligible? John said be believes so. Supervisor Acunto said someone at the county is looking into it for us.
Marv Schorr stated that there is someone at the county level that has a lot of experience writing grant applications. Supervisor Acunto will look into that. Councilman Mitchell will contact Susan to come in and meet with the Town Board.
Dave Wood - Eastern Avenue - Expressed concern that we don't have a Water Committee. He feels people had a lot of good input and concerns that could be of benefit to the town. He feels we need to keep moderate growth within the town. Farmers pay more taxes than they get back. He is willing to accept that if we keep the town rolling along the way it is.
Bob Killeen, Jr. - Charlton Road - Wants to see Charlton stay the way it is with modest controlled growth. Glenville has budget woes. Milton just re-enacted their town tax. Asked about the proposed Water Committee.
Councilman Lippiello stated that there was no consensus within the Town Board about setting up personnel or the number of people on the committee. For the time being it is a dead issue.
Marv Schorr stated that the guideline that the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee is using is that the Zoning Ordinance should control development. While we can't keep development from happening, we can control it. If you look at towns around Charlton, you can see what happens when you don't control development.
Resident - If someone does not comply with zoning, what is the process?
Councilman Schroeder said the Zoning Administrator will go out and write up what the violation is and a plan will be decided upon that is acceptable to the Zoning Administrator. If the person does not respond within 30 days, the matter will go to one of the justices and the violator will appear in court.
Marv asked if the ECC would be authorized to have the annual tree give away and roadside clean up. Supervisor Acunto said there was no problem with that. Marv will have an article for the February newsletter.
Ron will be accepting Christmas trees at the highway garage if anyone wants to drop one off.
The next Agenda Meeting will be December 30 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall.
The next Town Board Meeting will be January 13 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall.
There will be a Town Board Workshop Meeting this Saturday morning at 9:00 A.M. at the Town Hall.
After everyone had the opportunity to speak who wished, the meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted, |
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